The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-04
THE MASTER BLACKSMITH
Bl bonn y. DlcEE.

You would never have imagined il
from the turn Of his lips. They were q
very ordinary pair indeed when in re-
pose. which, 10 tell tie exact truth, was
nor often: bat this morning they were
puckered up in the most eomical man
ner wrinkiing his rUdiy cheeks. and
giving mis- whole phy-iogHomy a distort-
I'D and distressed appearance. painful 10
behold. But he was an excellent whist
Ter. Of that there va, not the smallest
doubt. Clear, Resonant, triiling up and
do yn the mazy iabyrinth7 Of two oetaveS
with never "a false note his hands in
Ai- pockets, MS tattered straw atthrown
back on his curly head, his sturdy feet.
brown and bare. Kicking little clouds Of
dust in the read which wound along the
base of stony hillside, almos; at white
heat beneath the r2ys OF the MONDAY
sun.
suddenly the music ceased Evident
ly our musician had whis,led himself
ont Of a brown study into some sort Of "a
decision, for he stopped, picked up peb-
ble. and tossed it over the fence with "A
jerk.
Yes. I'll DO IT. don't Ike it but
she'll never find it out I'm pretty near
wore out thinkiu' fore and thinkin agin.
and hayin' first one side. and then t'oth-
er. But it Is over with al last. and amt
I glad Of II. though -
Will qui kenel footsteps he now turn
ed 20 the right and assembled the hill
entering small cottage surrounded by
a weu-kep, lawn. boriered 10y a choice
collection Of annual Towering plants.
now in the height Of their beauty.
Well. mother. TO slender. pale
f3ced woman who stood at an ironing Ia
BILE I've decided. It's an right. tiad-
fori'~ got me. Thought II all over. Just
d. you said. I'll begin with him to-mor-
row. if he says 50.
You're sure. now. my -on-yery SlIre
its your own will and choice 3 replied
his mother. anxiously.
Dead sure. returned the iad, stoutly.
OF course. d blacksniith's apprentice
can't put on - many high-toned airs
a. if hc wa> >,udyin' medicine, but that
amt ANYTHING vou knows it,
Have Won ever put on any airs.
Jerry. or have you ever desired to-
answered the good woman, laughing.
No. no. OF course not. .7-a little I'M
patiently. But in the ewes Of other
folks. You know Dr. Altman would 60
would sound more dignided ike than
Jerry Altman. blacksmith. -wouidn'r it,
now"
The trade yaur father followed. and
the reputation he earned as a good work
man and an honest man, returned the
widow. with sparkling eve. sounded a
well in the ears Of this community as
that Of nr Fields. who has 50 kindly Of
fer-i u take YOU into his office. You
might make an excellent physician-that
remains "a prove but as blacksmith.
you are sure of ~uccess from the very
start
Oh. yes, any canIear that trade. -
retorted Jerry. q little bitterly. - mach
- he strove to disgniSs. the tone with a
feeble whistle
BY no means. returned Mrs Altman,
quickly. Master blacksmiths are rare.
To shoe a horse well i in itself an arr
Why not begin with the determination
Of becoming an artist IN irun2 You in
herit your fathers talents Don't be
ashamed Of them. Remember. INV ,on.
Won need not. IL you viii not, remain
chained TO the forge Tor life.
Jerry sprang to his feet with a shining
face and tossed his hat across the room-
Giod bles- you for saying that, mother r
Ii am man enough 10 make chain,
can cut the links when | want to,
can't II Hurrah Hurrah oirdford
forever
Blaketon was small village nesting
among the hills in the southern part Of
Ohio.
Among the many institutions Of this
village, which gave il name and fame
throughout the county. was long, low,
rambling structure, black with the smoke
Of fifty years Here the fires in two for
ges we're constantly ablaze, and the uier-
" music Of hammer and anvil could be
heard at all seasons OF the year, regard
les alike Of wind and weather
The presiding spirit Of this establish
ment was an eccentric. ms. .fie-agea man,
with a tongue ever wagging over the
small gossip Of the neishborhocsl, which
be benevolently dispensed to the group